Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment

When a stroke happens, every second matters. Quick diagnosis and treatment can save brain cells and give you the best chance at recovery. 

At Banner Brain & Spine, our stroke teams are trained to act fast. We use advanced tools to figure out the type of stroke and begin treatment right away.

Stroke care starts with 911

When a stroke happens, getting help fast can save your life. That’s why stroke care often begins the moment you call 911.

Emergency medical responders (EMS) are trained to spot the signs of a stroke. In the ambulance, they may check your speech, movement and vital signs. They’ll also start basic care to stabilize you and gather important information, like when your symptoms began.

Most importantly, EMS calls ahead to alert our hospital stroke team. This early warning gives us time to prepare for your arrival and begin life-saving treatment as soon as you enter the doors.

How strokes are diagnosed

Once you arrive at the hospital, our stroke team will move quickly to figure out the type of stroke and where it’s happening in the brain. Getting a proper diagnosis is key because every kind of stroke requires different treatment.

To make a diagnosis, your care team may use:

• CT scan (computed tomography): A quick, detailed brain scan that shows if the stroke is caused by a blocked blood vessel or bleeding in the brain.
• MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging): This imaging technique uses magnets and radio waves to show more detail. It can help you understand how the stroke is affecting your brain tissue.   
• Blood tests: Check for conditions that can impact stroke treatment, such as blood clots, infection and high blood pressure.
• Carotid ultrasound: Uses sound waves to look for blockages or narrowing in the arteries of the neck, which supply blood to the brain.
• Heart tests: An electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram can help find heart problems that may have led to a stroke.
• Neurologic exam: Tests memory, speech, vision and movement to help understand how the stroke is affecting the brain. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping medical experts detect strokes faster. Some systems can quickly analyze brain scans and alert stroke teams to possible problems. This can speed up diagnosis and treatment. Learn more about the role of AI in stroke care.

Emergency stroke treatment

There are three types of strokes: transient ischemic attack (TIA), ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Once the stroke type is confirmed, treatment begins right away. 

Stroke care is time-sensitive and fast action helps limit brain damage and protect vital functions. The type of stroke determines the approach to emergency treatment.

Treatment for TIA

A TIA or “mini-stroke” happens when a clot temporarily blocks blood flow but then clears on its own. Symptoms usually last minutes to a few hours. Even though symptoms go away, a TIA is a warning sign for a future stroke.

Treatment focuses on stroke prevention and may include:

• Blood-thinning medications to prevent new clots
• Blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar management
• Procedures such as carotid endarterectomy or stenting are used when you have blocked arteries
• Lifestyle changes, including quitting smoking, eating a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise

Treatment for ischemic stroke (blocked blood vessel)

Ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke. They occur when a blood clot blocks a vessel, cutting off blood flow to part of the brain.

Treatments may include:

• Clot-busting medications: Medicines like tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) or TNK (tenecteplase) can dissolve blood clots and restore blood flow to the brain. They are most effective when given within 3 to 4.5 hours of symptom onset.
• Endovascular thrombectomy: A specialist may remove the clot using a tiny device called a stent through a blood vessel. It’s typically done within 6 to 24 hours, depending on the stroke.

Treatment for hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain)

Hemorrhagic strokes can be caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure or a ruptured brain aneurysm. An aneurysm is a weak or bulging area in a blood vessel that can burst and bleed into the brain. The goal is to stop the bleeding and relieve pressure in the brain. 

Treatments may include:

• Medication: To lower blood pressure, stop bleeding and prevent seizures.
• Surgery: To remove blood buildup or repair the damaged vessel. In severe strokes, a craniectomy may be performed to relieve pressure and protect brain tissue.
• Aneurysm repair:
  • Clipping: A neurosurgeon places a small clip at the base of the aneurysm to stop the bleeding.
  • Endovascular coiling: A specialist fills the aneurysm with tiny coils to block blood flow and reduce the risk of rupture (bursting).

Procedures to help prevent a stroke

If you’ve had a stroke or are at high risk, your health care provider may recommend procedures to help lower your chances of another stroke:

• Carotid endarterectomy: Remove plaque buildup in the neck’s carotid artery, a major blood vessel in the neck that supplies blood to the brain.
• Carotid stenting: A mesh tube is placed to widen a narrowed carotid artery.
• Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure: Closes a small hole in the heart that may have led to a stroke.
• Left atrial appendage closure: If you have atrial fibrillation and cannot take blood thinners, this procedure helps prevent stroke-causing clots from forming in the heart.

Recovery and rehabilitation

Rehabilitation plays an important role in your recovery. Stroke rehab helps you regain strength, function and independence. Your care team may include physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language therapists, neurologists and rehab specialists.

Your recovery journey will depend on the type of stroke, how quickly you received treatment and your overall health. Some people can return home after a short hospital stay. Others may require longer-term rehabilitation at a hospital, rehabilitation center, or outpatient clinic.

Learn more about stroke recovery and rehab.

Know the signs. Act fast. Get expert care.

Banner Brain & Spine offers award-winning stroke care across Arizona and the western U.S. Our hospitals are nationally certified stroke centers, with care teams trained in the latest treatments. 

From the moment symptoms start to long-term recovery, our stroke experts are here to help you heal, recover and prevent future strokes. 

Find a Banner Brain & Spine specialist near you.